For Immediate Release
5th April 2023
UPDATE: BUS STRIKE
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) wishes to inform and to update its members and workers, in the Passenger Sector to be specific that after lengthy and difficult salary increment negotiations with the employers, it is unfortunately that we are still battling to find a common ground with the employer, and as results there is still nothing agreed on or tangible between the two parties at this stage.
The union started negotiation with the employer in January 2023, where we initially demanded an increment of 9% for the 1st year and 8% for the second year, and the employer to contribute towards the primary health care, however the employer was arrogant and only offered us 6%, of which we could not accept as mandated by our members and workers given the fact that is it below the Consumer Price Index (CPI). SATAWU is very clear and resolute that anything below the CPI is not an increment but an insult as it won’t make any difference to the lives of our workers. We then reached a deadlock, and a certificate of non-resolution was issued by the commissioner.
The past two (2) weeks were very hectic as the union was working very hard to avoid going on strike as we know what is at stake, It is the poor and the working class that will be negatively affected if we go on strike as they rely on bus services, especially during this time of the year, where millions of people are traveling for the easter weekend. Equally so, it is our responsibility to fight and to ensure that we are the voice of the voiceless, the poor and the working class. The union wishes to state that it has and still trying to find consensus with the employer, sadly the employer is refusing to come on board.
Last week the commissioner proposed a new offer of 7% each year for the next 2 years, and the primary health care to be dealt and discussed at the plant level . The organised labour strongly rejected the mediator’s proposal.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) wishes to inform its members that it will tomorrow, the 6th of April 2023 meet with the commissioner to table its new demand of 8% increment for 1 year and the issue of primary healthcare to be taken the task team for further discussions.
Failure to meet our demand we will then have no choice tomorrow but to we will then relook at the 48-hour notice to embark on strike that we were avoiding. The Union wishes to clarify that the strike is NOT cancelled but put on hold as the talks are continuing between the two (2) parties. We are hopeful that the employer does the right think and put the workers and South Africans first for a change.
Issued By SATAWU
General Secretary Cde Jack Mazibuko: 082 951 1181
Deputy General Secretary Cde Anele Kiet: 071 021 1903
Head of Communications Amanda Tshemese: 062 945 7217